Loose-leaf binder.



E. J. POTTINGER. LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 5, 1910.

991,239. Patented May 2,1911. C i 2.

A .B l L 71 F! G. I,

2 PM L 7 0 'n. j FIG.3. 3 2 3 a 6 FIG.+.

L i1 .fL V FIG.7.

12' AL All FIGS. -|cv. 9.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN JAMES POT'IINGER, OF I-IORNSEY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 SPICERBROTHERS LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Patented May 2, 1911.

Application filed August 5, 1910. Serial No. 575,798.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN JAMES PorTIN- GER, bookbinder, a subject ofthe King of Great Britain, residing at Speranza, 28 Lousanne road,Hornsey, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following isa specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in loose leaf binders comprisinga bottom bar having three uprights and a topbar.

The present invention has for its object to produce a binder of theabove kind but of simpler construction and operation than heretofore andless expensive to manufacture, and whereby a better looking action isobtained.

To-this end, the improved binder comprises a base bar having threeuprights I which may be grooved at the top, and a top bar or locking barhaving a notch at opposite sides near each end and a key hole or othersuitably shaped apertures at its center. The groove or the like in thecentral upright is preferably placed a little higher than the grooves inthe outer uprights so that when the central hole of the top bar orlooking bar engages the central upright on the basebar the top bar maybe turned to bring the notches adjacent to the grooves in the outeruprights and bent or sprung at the ends to engage the outer uprightswhereby a secure locking action is obtained.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichFigure 1 is a front elevation of the improved binder device showing thesame mounted on one side of a cover for use as a loose leaf ledger. Fig.2 is a plan view. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the top or looking barremoved. Fig. 4c is an edge view of the top bar. Fig. 5 is an end viewof the device and complete cover. Fig. 6 illustrates a modification ofthe center-upright. Fig. 7 shows a locking bar or top bar for use withthe modification shown in Fig. 6, part of the latter being broken away.

A. represents the base bar which is at tached to one of the sides B ofthe cover, adjacent to where it joins the back 5 by rivets or in anyother convenient manner. Rising from the bar A. are three uprights, apreferably all solid, formed with grooves,

at, around their upper parts. The two outer uprights are of the sameheight but the center upright is a little taller.

C. represents the top bar or looking bar formed with a key hole shapedaperture, 0 at its center, and with notches, 0 at opposite sides at eachend. This may be made of steel or other suitable elastic material. Thebar 0. is preferably turned up slightly at each end as at 0 to preventit from catching the leaves to be bound when turned horizontally in theaction of locking the bar as hereinafter explained.

The operation of the device is as follows :-The sheets or leaves to bebound together and already provided with suitable holes are threadedupon the uprights of the base plate. The top bar is then engaged bymeans of its key hole with the groove of the central upright of the baseplate so that the narrow part of the upright engages the narrow part ofthe hole, and is then turned horizontally so that the notches are inproximity to but a little higher than the grooves in the tops of theouter uprights. ing the ends of the top bar down a little and continuingthe turning movement, the notches are made to engage the grooves in theouter uprights with a locking action and the leaves are held securely inposition until they are to be removed. Filling up pieces may be used ifnecessary between the top bar and the leaves.

In a modification of the foregoing the center hole, 0 is circular sothat upon engaging the hole with the central upright, which in this caseis formed wit-h a reduced cylindrical upper end presenting a shoulderfor the top bar to rest on, the latter may be turned and its endsdepressed so that the notches engage the grooves in the outer uprights,as aforesaid.

Claims.

1. A loose leaf binder comprising a rigid base, three grooved uprightsrising therefrom, the grooves in the uprights being located at differentlevels and a spring bar having an aperture to engage with a groove atone level and other apertures adapted to engage with the other grooveswhen such bar is bent.

2. In a loose leaf binder a locking bar, consisting of a strip ofelastic material having a key hole slot at the center and recessed Bythen spring at the end combined with uprights adapted to engage withsaid bar when the latter is bent.

3. In a loose leaf binder the combination consisting of a rigid base,three uprights thereon, the center upright being adapted to hold alocking bar at a slightly higher level than the outer uprights, theouter uprights being fitted with means for engaging the locking bar anda flexible locking bar adapted to pass over the upper end of the centeruprights and having recesses which when the'bar is turned around thecenter upright are brought into juxtaposition with the outer uprightsand engage the latter.

4. A loose leaf binder consisting of a base plate provided with uprightsgrooved at the top and an elastic bar upturned at its ends and adaptedto slip upon one of said uprights, to be slightly bent and then toengage with another upright by embracing the grooved portion thereof bymeans of suitably shaped and conveniently placed openings in suchelastic bar.

5-. A loose leaf binder comprising a rigid base, three "grooved uprightsrising therefrom, the grooves in the uprights being located at'difierent levels and a spring bar with-upturned ends having an apertureto engage with a groove at one level and other apertures adapted toengage with the other grooves when such bar is bent.

6. In a loose leaf binder a locking bar, consisting of a strip ofelastic material upturned at its ends having a key hole slot at thecenter and recessed at the end combined with uprights adapted to engagewith said bar when the latter is bent.

7. In a loose leaf binder the combination consisting of a rigid base,three uprights thereon, the center upright being adapted to hold alocking bar at a slightly higher level than the outer uprights, theouter uprights being fitted with means for engaging the locking bar anda flexible locking bar with upturned ends adapted to pass over the upperend of the center upright and having recesses which when the bar isturned around the center upright are brought into juxtaposition with theouter uprights and engage the latter. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

EDWIN JAMES POTTINGER.

Witnesses ALLEN GnIBn,

SYDNEY R. VVYGHERLEY.

- flopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each; byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

